Police found a large haul of cocaine and cannabis hidden inside replica World Cup trophies after swooping on a suspected drug-smuggling gang.

Officers discovered 1.5kg of drugs, estimated to have a street value of £50,000 in the UK, during a series of raids in Argentina.

Two guns and two cars were also seized as police made six arrests in the city of Isidro Casanova, in the Buenos Aires province, reports The Sun .

Cristian Ritondo, Buenos Aires security minister, said: "The drug convictions must be strictly complied with, they do not go out of business, those who are imprisoned have to be imprisoned and serve their sentence.

The drugs were seized in a series of raids (Image: AFP)

"It is important that they be imprisoned, that they not return to the business."

Argentina have endured a miserable World Cup so far, drawing 1-1 with Iceland and losing 3-0 to Croatia, with star man Lionel Messi struggling for form.

Argentina have endured a difficult World Cup so far (Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The South American nation lost in the final to Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, but now face going home before the knockout stages.

Jorge Sampaoli's team must win their final group match against Nigeria on Thursday to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16.